Wales second row Bradley Davies will return to Wales next season to take up a national dual contract (NDC) with the Welsh Rugby Union and Ospreys.

The 29-year-old, who joined Wasps in 2014 from Cardiff Blues, leaves Wasps after the English Premiership side agreed to release him a year early.

Davies, who has signed a deal through to the 2019 World Cup, hopes his return will further his international career.

"I am excited about returning to Wales and joining Ospreys," he said.

"I would like to thank Wasps for the last couple of years.

"The opportunity to return to Wales on an NDC was too good to turn down, the contracts focus on getting the best out of the players and provides support on and off the field and that is really important.

"I'm not returning to Wales to retire, I want to push on and the NDC and the Ospreys allow me to do that."

Ospreys managing director Andrew Millward said: "We are extremely grateful to the WRU for their support in enabling us to make such a significant addition to our squad."

Davies has made 37 appearances for Wasps and the English side's director of rugby Dai Young admitted it was a blow to lose the lock.

"We will obviously be sad to see Bradley leave as he is a great character to have around the training ground and has played a key role over the past couple of seasons in helping our pack develop a harder edge," he said.